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First Public Trial for Driverless Cars in Milton Keynes

Our road transport team have been to see the public trial for driverless cars that began in Milton Keynes today (Tuesday 11 October 2016).

This ground breaking system uses cameras and LIDAR detection technology to navigate small electric cars around the streets. Milton Keynes, where Woodfines have an office, has often been as a leader for innovative ideas and now sees passengers being taken on a public road for the first time. This is part of a number of ongoing trials aimed at long time future plans for autonomous cars to hit the main highways.

Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, said; “Today’s first public trials of driverless vehicles in our town is a ground breaking moment”. Milton Keynes is one of three locations being tested for autonomous technology projects, partly being used due to its wide pavements and cycle path network, famously known as Redways.

As motoring lawyers, we will be monitoring carefully the development of driverless cars and how they in due course will be regulated, for instance how the actions of driverless cars fit within the law. This is a matter that is continuing to be under consultation and we will provide updates in relation to amendments to the Highway Code or other laws.